Coldsnap: The Billionaire Alpha's Fated Pregnant Princess (GL)
Chapter 98 - [K] Message From Mate, Messages To…

Chapter 98: Chapter 98 - [K] Message From Mate, Messages To...

The meeting continued this way for another forty minutes. Diplomatic exchanges, occasional tense moments where I was forced to take a stance, and incremental progress towards a final agreement.

My assistant herded the remaining staff out efficiently, giving me the usual questioning look. One quick shake of my head let her know I wouldn’t need her for this.

Even though my wolf was desperate not to - I still invited Joseph to stay behind. The older man’s posture relaxed now that we were alone... finding himself more at ease with a ’rival’ Alpha than a room with humans in it - even ones that knew our secret.

"I appreciate your support today, Kyrie. Not all young Alphas would honor arrangements made by predecessors they didn’t particularly agree with."

A tight smile responds to this again. He said the same thing years ago.

"The former Alpha and I disagreed on many things, but he recognized your pack’s right to prosperity, even if his reasons were complicated - and so do I."

"Complicated is very... diplomatic. He liked the idea of us taking money from humans more than he liked us having our own success."

The last Rimecoat Alpha had seen the casino as a way for werewolves to take advantage of human weakness, not as a genuine partnership. Humans were political rivals, in his eyes... though not so far that he led us towards direct violence.

"You know, the Moonwater have always been adaptable and I’ve admired that about your pack since my youth."

I said softly, using their original name, and seeing his eyes crinkle in its usual appreciation when I did.

"Ha, so few remember that name outside our own. It’s always nice to hear the young say it, even if it is mostly you."

"Your ancestors understood that survival sometimes means accepting change. At those times, you simply don’t forget who you are and were - and that’s all that is needed to keep moving forward."

My hand was clearly clawing around my skirt pocket with a mind of its own... and I blew out a breath before catching it with my other hand. The old wolf looked amused, so I tried to regain some respect.

"Everyone will come around on the resort plans. They just need time to adjust their thinking or find their benefits in it."

"Time we have plenty of, thankfully. Because of your help. Though I do worry about my younger members growing restless."

Joseph adjusted his tie, a pattern of gray and blue that echoed the water droplet shaped facial markings of their wolf forms. Maybe they really are trying to mimic the lifestyle of the Cloudtail - their patterned scarves are a symbol they like.

"Like Ms. Rushwater?"

"Ellie is actually one of my more patient ones. You know how hard it is to send any wolf to school and have them succeed. But many of the young don’t understand why humans can seem to build wherever they want while we must negotiate for every acre."

Negotiation for every inch and every dollar has been how more than half of my life has worked. Perhaps that’s why I’m so willing to be patient with her...?

Or even why I feel more personally at ease having to prove myself to Citra. Because I’ll find it more realistic and rewarding... when our own little contract finally is signed with her approval.

"I... know the feeling. Finding the balance between tradition and progress is... challenging."

Joseph nodded, then glanced down at his nonexistent watch - and even tapped his wrist. My cheek twitches at his attempt to stall before he looked up and grinned, knowing he could tell how... antsy I am... and that it must be personal.

"I should let you get back to your day, Kyrie. I imagine running a company keeps you even busier than running the pack."

"Some days more than others."

After he left, I finally allowedmyself to pull out my phone so quickly that I almost dropped it. I opened the messenger app to find a beautifully composed photo of the Vossden skyline after sunrise.

C: [Beautiful city you have here. The humans are nice. The wolves and lingering scents I have mixed feelings about.]

Warmth surged through me over her sending me something like this on her own. She was out exploring, seeing my city this morning - our city, though she’d likely bristle at the suggestion and explain exactly why I’m wrong...

But the ’mixed feelings’ - was she referring to me? Or had she encountered others already?

The thought of any other wolf approaching her, of it being a mistake to let her go her own way, made my fingers tighten around the phone. I’d never been more glad that Claire special ordered a design that was less prone to damage.

"Explaining why I broke my phone would be hard."

I began trying to compose a response, wanting to ask where she’d taken the photo... even though I obviously recognized the general direction. Whether she was enjoying her explorations, if she needed any recommendations on where to visit, if she wanted to come see me at-

"Boss, are you alright in there?"

My earpiece chimed with an emergency alert from my assistant, interrupting my thoughts. I glanced down at my half-composed and very rambling message to Citra, reluctantly saved as a draft as I closed it.

"Yeah. On... my way."

I would respond to her message properly... when I’ve calmed down a little more. With something thoughtful and worthy of the bit of reaching out she’d done - maybe an offer for another date, at a restaurant this time?

"Or would she like a movie more..."

When I walk out to the corridor, Claire is leaning into the wall. Waiting with one of those smiles that unnerves Luca as she stares at her personal device. I refuse to tell him that it creeps me out too.

That will remain in my heart, as besides actually liking the woman on a personal level - she’s too valuable to alienate in the first place. I could get another assistant, but I don’t think they built more than one Claire.

"Something good?"

Without looking at me as I asked, her fingers flew across the touchscreen and finished whatever she was doing. Seemed like composing a message... maybe she is just bugging my Beta again.

"Mm? Oh, absolutely. Something very interesting. I’ll tell you about it someday! But first, you have another meeting with-"

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